Seeding Implement Sensor Feedback for Soil Throw Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural seeding implements struggle with soil and residue displacement, which can delay seed emergence and increase the force required for trench formation in nearby rows, affecting planting depth and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A material throw monitoring system with sensors and a controller that adjusts the operation of the seeding implement based on the throw distance of soil and residue, reducing material displacement onto nearby rows by modifying the speed or depth of the ground engaging tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ground engaging tool forms a trench by displacing soil and residue, then the trench is created for seed deposition, but material is thrown onto nearby rows causing delayed seed emergence and increased force requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs sensors (optical, acoustic, or other detection devices) to monitor material throw in real-time and provides feedback to a controller. The controller adjusts operational parameters such as ground engaging tool depth, tool spacing between rows, or vehicle speed based on this feedback to minimize material displacement onto adjacent rows while maintaining productive seeding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters including the depth of ground engaging tools, the spacing between tools and rows, and vehicle speed. By adjusting these parameters based on monitored conditions, the system optimizes trench formation while reducing harmful material throw onto nearby rows.
2Manufacturing precision
If the ground engaging tool displaces more material to form deeper trenches, then better seed placement is achieved, but the force required increases and material is thrown farther onto nearby rows
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors monitor the throw distance and material displacement in real-time, providing feedback to a controller that adjusts ground engaging tool depth and operational parameters. This closed-loop control ensures consistent seed deposition depth while minimizing the force required and preventing excessive material throw onto adjacent rows.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts ground engaging tool depth and operational parameters during seeding operations based on real-time sensor feedback. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain optimal trench formation for consistent seed placement while adapting to varying soil conditions to minimize force requirements and material displacement.
3Productivity
If the ground engaging tool operates at higher speed to increase productivity, then more acres are seeded per hour, but material is thrown farther onto nearby rows
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to monitor material throw distance and provides real-time feedback to a controller. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically adjusts vehicle speed to maintain optimal throwing characteristics, allowing high productivity while preventing material from landing on adjacent rows.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts vehicle speed during operation based on real-time monitoring of material displacement patterns. This allows the system to maintain high productivity by operating at optimal speeds while adapting to soil conditions and row spacing to minimize throw distance and prevent material contamination of adjacent rows.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural implement having a row unit and a material throw monitoring system. The row unit includes a ground engaging tool configured to engage with a ground at a ground engaging point to form a trench, and a conduit configured to deposit an agricultural product in the trench. The material throw monitoring system includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is oriented toward the ground engaging point and configured to provide feedback to the controller based at least in part on material displaced by the ground engaging tool. The controller is configured to determine a throw distance of the material relative to the ground engaging tool based on the feedback from the sensor, determine an action to adjust operation of the agricultural implement based on a comparison of the throw distance with a threshold, and communicate the action with a controller coupled to the agricultural implement.